Apparatus and method for providing integrated logistics products management service to provide electronic shipment certificate

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a method for providing an electronic shipment certificate performed by a server providing an integrated logistics products management service. The method includes operations of: obtaining a digital code including shipment information generated during a shipment process of a logistics product; obtaining a QR code generated through a device for measuring a delivery state during the delivery process of the logistics product; linking shipment information and shipment state information on the logistics product on the basis of the digital code and the QR code; and providing the shipment information on the logistics product through an external terminal on the basis of the QR code displayed on a screen of an apparatus. The QR code includes sensing data measuring at least one among temperature, acceleration, humidity, illumination, inclination, impact, and location through a sensor of the apparatus during the delivery process of the logistics product.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/820,627 filed Aug. 18, 2022, which a claim for priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119 is made to Korean Patent Application No.10-2022-0013912 filed on Feb. 3, 2022 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method forproviding an integrated logistics products management service to providean electronic shipment certificate.

2. Description of Related Art

Recently, buying things online has been a growing trend among people,and logistics products delivery is on the increase as the development oftransportation businesses facilitates long distance transportation.Additionally, the delivery of vaccines is an issue of growing importancedue to COVID-19.

In general, there is often a problem in which logistics products beingtransported are damaged or go bad due to temperature, humidity andimpact while being distributed. Thus, logistics products of anacceptable level of quality may not be delivered to clients.

Therefore, a person carrying logistics products directly may need tocheck current state information, such as temperature, humidity andimpact, in a delivery vehicle, to determine the state of the logisticsproducts, and complete a paper certificate, such as company documents oran inspection report including the state information, and provide thecertificate to a client or a manager.

However, it is substantially difficult to precisely grasp the state oflogistics products in a delivery vehicle and to arrange the state oflogistics products, since the amount of deliveries of logisticsproducts, including vaccines, has rapidly increased.

Moreover, in a case in which biological agents are being transported, adelivery person must install an automatic temperature recording devicein the vehicle or inside a transportation container and a thermometer(outside the transportation container), in order to verify whether ornot a correct temperature is maintained during transportation, andmaintain a record of temperatures measured during transport for up totwo years.

Therefore, there is a need for a method in which a person carryinglogistics products can directly transmit state information of thelogistics products in the delivery vehicle to a manager or a clientwithout manually completing a certificate. Furthermore, there is a needfor an electronic and automated data integration method for efficientlystoring and managing a large amount of information and a large amount ofpaper certificates generated during transport.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentionedproblems occurring in the prior art, and in an aspect of the presentdisclosure, an object is to provide logistics products state informationin the form of a QR code by sensing at least one among temperature,acceleration, humidity, illumination, slope, impact, location, and thelike inside a delivery vehicle to deliver logistics products.

Another object is to integrate logistics products data and provide thelogistics products data in the form of an electronic document using theQR code generated during logistics products delivery.

The aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentionedabove, and other aspects not mentioned herein will be clearly understoodby those skilled in the art from the following description.

Besides the above, a computer program stored in a computer readablerecording medium for embodying the present disclosure may beadditionally provided.

Besides the above, a computer readable recording medium to recordcomputer programs for executing the method may be additionally provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 1 for providing an integratedlogistics products management service according to the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 2 to 3 illustrate an apparatus 10 for generating and storingsensing data used in state management of logistics products according tothe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an external terminal 20 according tothe present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a server 30 according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing an integratedlogistics products management service according to the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process of providing an electronicshipment certificate in a method for providing an integrated logisticsproducts management service according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an authentication process of anexternal terminal 20 in the method for providing an integrated logisticsproducts management service according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a process of confirming authority ofthe external terminal 20 in the method for providing an integratedlogistics products management service according to the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantages and features of the present disclosure and methodsaccomplishing the advantages and features will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of exemplary embodiments with referenceto the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is notlimited to exemplary embodiment disclosed herein but will be implementedin various forms. The exemplary embodiments are provided so that thepresent disclosure is completely disclosed, and a person of ordinaryskill in the art can fully understand the scope of the presentdisclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure will be defined only bythe scope of the appended claims.

Terms used in the specification are used to describe specificembodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit thescope of the present disclosure. In the specification, the terms of asingular form may include plural forms unless otherwise specified. Itshould be also understood that the terms of ‘include’ or ‘have’ in thespecification are used to mean that there is no intent to excludeexistence or addition of other components besides components describedin the specification. In the detailed description, the same referencenumbers of the drawings refer to the same or equivalent parts of thepresent disclosure, and the term “and/or” is understood to include acombination of one or more of components described above. It will beunderstood that terms, such as “first” or “second” may be used in thespecification to describe various components but are not restricted tothe above terms. The terms may be used to discriminate one componentfrom another component. Therefore, of course, the first component may benamed as the second component within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by thoseskilled in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains.It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined incommonly used dictionaries, should not be interpreted in an idealized oroverly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the drawings, like reference numerals designate like components. Thisdisclosure does not describe all components of embodiments, and generalcontents in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongsor repeated contents of the embodiments will be omitted. The terms, suchas “unit, module, member, and block” may be embodied as hardware orsoftware, and a plurality of “units, modules, members, and blocks” maybe implemented as one component, or a unit, a module, a member, or ablock may include a plurality of components.

Throughout this specification, when a part is referred to as being“connected” to another part, this includes “direct connection” and“indirect connection”, and the indirect connection may includeconnection via a wireless communication network. Furthermore, when acertain part “includes” a certain component, other components are notexcluded unless explicitly described otherwise, and other components mayin fact be included.

In the entire specification of the present disclosure, when any memberis located “on” another member, this includes a case in which stillanother member is prevent between both members as well as a case inwhich one member is in contact with another member.

Identification codes in each operation are used not for describing theorder of the operations but for convenience of description, and theoperations may be implemented differently from the order describedunless there is a specific order explicitly described in the context.

Hereinafter, activation in the present disclosure means a state in whichat least one among an apparatus 10, which will be described hereinafter,a first sensor 200, and a second sensor 120 included in the apparatus 10is turned on, and deactivation means a state in which the device isturned off or a specific operation, for instance, a sensing operation,is on pause while the device is turned on. In this instance, in thedeactivation state of the device, when the device is reactivated, thespecific operation may restart.

Hereinafter, operation principles and embodiments of the presentdisclosure will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 1 for providing an integratedlogistics products management service according to the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 2 to 3 illustrate an apparatus 10 for generating and storingsensing data used in condition management of logistics productsaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an external terminal 20 according tothe present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a server 30 according to the presentdisclosure.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 , a system 1 for providing anintegrated logistics products management service according to thepresent disclosure will be described. Here, the system 1 may include alarger or smaller number of components than those shown in FIG. 1 .

The system 1 includes: an apparatus 10 for measuring the state oflogistics products; a terminal 20 for recognizing a two-dimensionalcode, for instance, a QR code, provided by the apparatus 10; a server 30for providing an integrated logistics products management service byusing information represented by the two-dimensional code throughdecoding of the two-dimensional code received from the terminal; acommunication network 40; and an external server (not shown).

The system 1 senses at least one among temperature, acceleration,humidity, illumination, inclination, impact, and location in an area 3on which the logistics products of a delivery vehicle 2 for deliveringthe logistics products are loaded, and provides the state information ofthe logistics products in the form of a QR code. Thus, in a case inwhich a user has the external terminal 20 and an application capable ofrecognizing the QR code, the system 1 can easily and accurately confirmthe state of logistics products in the delivery vehicle 2 by easilyrecognizing the QR code through the external terminal 20 without acomplicated process so as to take necessary measures.

Here, the state information includes at least one among temperature,humidity, and illumination for keeping logistics products in anappropriate environment, a slope for loading the logistics products sothat contents of the logistics products do not spill or flow out, impactapplied to logistics products which may be fragile, like glass, and adelivery location of the logistics products. State information necessaryfor keeping or delivering the corresponding logistics products is set inadvance. For instance, assuming of milk contained in a bottle, thestatus information of the logistics products may be, for example, achange in temperature or humidity for preventing milk from going bad, orintensity of impact to prevent the bottle from being broken. Preferably,the status information of the logistics products includes locationinformation indicating the location of the logistics products so as toaccurately and quickly notify a seller and a purchaser of transferlocation of the logistics products managed by the manager or purchasedby the buyer.

In addition, the system 1 can simplify a procedure of confirming thestate of the delivery vehicle, thereby enabling an integrated logisticsproducts state management service to enhance efficiency, and minimizingthe issuance of a number of paper certificates, such as authenticationdocuments or examination reports which have to be submitted every timeduring distribution processes.

In addition, in a case in which the delivery vehicle 2 is scraped oraltered in the usage purpose, the apparatus 10 is recyclable, therebyreducing waste of the apparatus 10 and reducing costs.

First, the apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and3 . The apparatus 10 may have the shape illustrated in FIG. 2 .

The apparatus 10 senses at least one among temperature, acceleration,humidity, illumination, slope, impact, and location within an area 3 onwhich the logistics products of the delivery vehicle 2 is loaded. Theapparatus 10 generates state information of the logistics products basedon the sensing result, and generate and display a QR code representingthe generated state information.

Here, the logistics products may be articles to be delivered, or may bearticles to be protected from deformation, temperature change, externalimpact, etc. during a delivery process. In addition, the logisticsproducts in the present disclosure may be referred to transportedarticles, delivered articles, or delivered products. For example, thelogistics products may be medicine and medical supplies, biologicalproducts, fresh food, or the like.

Accordingly, the apparatus 10 displays the QR code representing thestate information, and the external terminal 20 reads the QR code toeasily confirm the state information.

Here, the apparatus 10 is detachable. So, even in the case that theapparatus 10 is attached to the area 3 on which the logistics productsof the delivery vehicle 2 is loaded, in a case in which the deliveryvehicle 2 is scraped or altered in the usage purpose, the apparatus 10are collected from the area 3 and are recyclable. Here, the area 3 onwhich the logistics products of the delivery vehicle 2 is loaded may bea container box integrally provided with the delivery vehicle 2, or aseparable container box.

FIG. 1 illustrates that one apparatus 10 is installed in the area 3 onwhich the logistics products of one delivery vehicle 2 is loaded, butthe device is not limited thereto, but a plurality of devices may beinstalled in the area 3. That is, the device can be attached anddetached at any region of the area 3. Alternatively, the apparatus 10may be installed in the form of being detachably attached to alldelivery articles, or may be installed in the form of being detachablyattached to a box containing a plurality of delivery articles.

The apparatus 10 includes a main body 100 and a first sensor 200.Specifically, the main body 100 of the apparatus 10 is detachablyattached to the outside of the area 3 in which logistics products of thedelivery vehicle 2 are loaded, and the first sensor 200 of the apparatus10 is detachably attached to the inside of the area 3 on which logisticsproducts of the delivery vehicle 2 are loaded.

First, at least one first sensor 200 of the apparatus 10 is mountedinside the area 3, and senses at least one among temperature,acceleration, humidity, illumination, slope, impact, and location insidethe area 3.

Here, the first sensor 200 senses environment information around thearea 3 and generates a sensing signal corresponding thereto. The firstprocessor 160 controls the operation of the first sensor 200 of theapparatus 10 based on the sensing signal, or performs data processing,function, or operation related to an application program installed inthe apparatus 10.

For example, the first sensor 200 includes an illumination sensor, ahumidity sensor, a proximity sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gravitysensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, afingerprint scanning sensor, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, anenvironmental sensor (e.g., a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, aradioactivity detection sensor, a thermal sensor, a gas sensor, etc.), achemical sensor (e.g., a healthcare sensor, a biometric sensor, etc.), aposition sensor, an ethylene sensor, a CO₂ sensor, and a nitrogensensor.

Here, the proximity sensor is a sensor capable of detecting whetherthere is an object approaching a predetermined detection range or thereis an object near the sensor by using an electromagnetic force orinfrared light without mechanical contact.

The sensors are embedded in the first sensor 200 at least one of each.

In addition, the first sensor 200 further includes a second AUX terminal201 for connecting to a first AUX terminal 132 of the main body 100through an AUX cable 300. Here, the first sensor 200 is activated onlywhen the first AUX terminal 132 of the main body 100 is connectedthrough the AUX cable 300.

Moreover, the first sensor 200 has a sensitivity level range differentfrom that of the second sensor 120.

Furthermore, the first sensor 200 has the sensitivity level rangeoptimized for management of the logistics products.

For example, in a case in which the logistics products are vaccines, thefirst sensor 200 has the sensitivity level range optimized according tothe type of vaccine.

That is, in a case in which the logistics products are Pfizer vaccines,since the temperature range to be maintained during delivery is from −90to −60° C., the apparatus 10 includes a first sensor 200 capable ofmeasuring the temperature range.

Alternatively, in a case in which the logistics products are Modernavaccines, since temperature to be maintained during delivery is −20° C.,the apparatus 10 includes a first sensor 200 capable of measuring thetemperature.

Therefore, the first sensor 200 has different sensitivity level rangesdepending on kinds of logistics products. In a case in which thesensitivity level range is changed according to kinds of logisticsproducts, the first sensor 200 is replaced with another one to beattached to the area 3.

Next, the main body 100 includes a first communication unit 110, asecond sensor 120, a first input unit 130, a first display unit 140, afirst memory 150, and a first processor 160. Such an apparatus 10 mayinclude a larger or smaller number of components than those shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 .

The first communication unit 110 includes one or more modules enablingwireless communication between the apparatus 10 and a wirelesscommunication system, between the apparatus 10 and the external terminal20, between the apparatus 10 and the server 30, or between the apparatus10 and an external server (not shown). Additionally, the firstcommunication unit 110 includes one or more modules for connecting theexternal terminal 20 to one or more networks.

Moreover, the first communication unit 110 is a module for obtaining alocation (or current position) of the apparatus 10, and a representativeexample of the first communication unit 110 is a global positioningsystem (GPS) module or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) module.

For example, the main body 100 of the apparatus 10 obtains a location byusing a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite through a GPS module. Asanother example, in a case of using the Wi-Fi module, the body 100 ofthe apparatus 10 obtains a location based on information of a wirelessaccess point (wireless AP) transmitting or receiving a wireless signalto or from the Wi-Fi module. The first communication unit 110 is notlimited to directly calculating or obtaining the location of the mainbody 100 of the apparatus 10.

Furthermore, the first communication unit 110 further includes a firstshort-range communication unit 111 for performing low-power Bluetoothcommunication (Bluetooth™ Low Energy) with the external terminal 20.

The second sensor 120 senses at least one among temperature,acceleration, humidity, illumination, slope, impact, and location insidethe area 3 outside of the area 3 on which the logistics products of thedelivery vehicle 2 are loaded.

That is, the second sensor 120 senses environment information around themain body 100 of the apparatus 10 and generates a sensing signalcorresponding thereto. The first processor 160 controls the operation ofthe main body 100 of the apparatus 10 based on the sensing signal, orperforms data processing, function, or operation related to anapplication program installed in the apparatus 10.

For example, the second sensor 120 includes an illumination sensor, ahumidity sensor, a proximity sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gravitysensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, afingerprint scanning sensor, an optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, anenvironmental sensor (e.g., a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, aradioactivity detection sensor, a thermal sensor, a gas sensor, etc.), achemical sensor (e.g., a healthcare sensor, a biometric sensor, etc.), aposition sensor, an ethylene sensor, a CO₂ sensor, and a nitrogensensor.

Here, the proximity sensor is a sensor capable of detecting whetherthere is an object approaching a predetermined detection range or thereis an object near the sensor by using electromagnetic force or infraredlight without mechanical contact.

The illumination sensor 121 and the humidity sensor 122 are disposed onthe surface of one side of the main body 100. In addition, the rest ofthe sensors are embedded in the main body 100.

Here, the first processor 160 controls the operation of the main body100 of the apparatus 10 based on sensing signals according to sensingresults of the one or more sensors described above, or performs dataprocessing, functions, or operations related to an application programinstalled in the apparatus 10. Accordingly, the first processor 160 maycombine and utilize information sensed by at least two sensors among thesensors.

The second sensor 120 is deactivated only when the first AUX terminal ofthe main body 100 is connected to the first sensor 200 through the AUXcable 300.

Moreover, the second sensor 120 has a sensitivity level range differentfrom that of the first sensor 200.

The first input unit 130 is to input image information (or signal),audio information (or signal), data, or information input from a user,and includes an on-off button 131 and the first AUX terminal 132.

In addition, in order to input image information, the first input unit130 includes at least one first camera (not shown). The first camera(not shown) processes an image frame such as a still image or a videoobtained by an image sensor in an imaging mode. The processed imageframe is displayed on the first display unit 140 or stored in the firstmemory 150. Furthermore, the first camera (not shown) includes at leastone among a camera for recognizing an iris, and a camera for capturingan image.

Additionally, the first input unit 130 further includes at least oneamong a time setting button (not shown) for controlling a start of theapparatus 10 or a screen of the first display unit 140, and anadjustment button (not shown) for displaying a QR code.

Here, the button may be a physical hardware button and a virtual buttondisplayed on a touch screen, and in the case of a virtual button, thebutton is formed on the first display unit 140 in the form of a touchscreen.

In addition, the on-off button 131 may be formed of a physical button, atouch button of a touch pad, or a virtual button displayed on the touchscreen.

Accordingly, the apparatus 10 is turned on or off while the on-offbutton 131 is pressed for a predetermined first period of time(hereinafter, referred to as a “long key input”).

Moreover, the apparatus 10 may be initialized when the on-off button 131is in the long key input for a predetermined second period of time.Here, the initialization may be a function that QR codes stored in theapparatus 10 are all deleted (in this instance, the stored QR codes maybe deleted after being transferred to an external device setpreviously), a unit count is set as a default count (factory defaultsetting), or an operation mode of the apparatus 10 is set as the factorydefault mode. Furthermore, the first period of time, for instance, fiveseconds is shorter than the second period of time, for instance, sixseconds.

In addition, in a case in which the on-off button 131 is input in astate in which an illumination value measured by the illumination sensor121 is less than or equal to a predetermined illumination value, theapparatus 10 changes the unit count for generating a QR code accordingto an input method of the on-off button 131.

For example, in a case in which the user inputs the on-off button 131once while hiding the illumination sensor 122 with a finger, the unitcount is changed to one minute, and in a case in which the user inputsthe on-off button 131 twice, the unit count is changed to three minutes.That is, based on the number of times that the on-off button 131 isinput by the user, the unit count is changed to one minute, threeminutes, thirty minutes, one hour, two hours, six hours, etc.

In addition, the first AUX terminal 132 is provided for connection withthe first sensor 200 through the AUX cable 300.

The first display unit 140 is in a layer structure with the touch sensoror is integrated with the touch sensor to implement a touch screen. Thetouch screen provides an input interface between the apparatus 10 andthe user, and at the same time, provides an output interface between theapparatus 10 and the user. The first display unit 140 displays the QRcode provided by the apparatus 10.

The first memory 150 stores data supporting various functions of theapparatus 10, and especially, stores a QR code. The first memory 150stores a plurality of application programs or applications driven in theapparatus 10, data for operating the apparatus 10, and instructions. Atleast a portion of these applications may be downloaded from the server30 and/or an external server (not shown) via wireless communication. Atleast a portion of these applications may also exist for the basicfunctionality of the apparatus 10. Meanwhile, the application program isstored in the first memory 150 and installed on the apparatus 10 to bedriven to perform the operation (or function) of the apparatus 10 by thefirst processor 160.

The first processor 160 controls the overall operation of the apparatus10 in addition to the operation related to the application program. Thefirst processor 160 processes signals, data, information, etc. input oroutput by the above-mentioned components, or provides or processesinformation or function suitable for the user by driving an applicationprogram stored in the first memory 150.

In addition, in order to drive the application program stored in thefirst memory 150, the first processor 160 controls at least a portion ofthe components described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 3 . Furthermore,in order to drive the application program, the first processor 160combines and operates at least two of the components included in theapparatus 10.

The first processor 160 generates state information indicating the stateof the logistics products according to the sensing result of the firstsensor 200 or the second sensor 120 every predetermined unit count, andpages the state information in a predetermined period or in real time togenerate QR codes.

Here, the QR codes are changed and displayed on the screen according tothe generated order, and the code can be changed in real time accordingto the state of the logistics products changed within the correspondingunit count.

In detail, the QR code has a two-dimensional configuration capable ofrecording up to 7,089 numbers, up to 4,296 characters, and up to 1,817Chinese characters by length and width. The QR code may include all of along sentence Internet address (URL), photo and video information, mapinformation, business card information, and the like. The QR code canrecord more information as including more points in a small square, buta necessary area is increased if the number of points is increased.Additionally, the QR code is better in recognition speed, recognitionrate, and restoring force than general barcodes. The QR code can respondquickly, providing information such as the name of the QR code.Recently, QR codes have been utilized as important PR/marketing meansfor a company, and so, are widely utilized online and offline.Additionally, the QR code can be accurately recognized even in the casethat scanned from any direction since having a square shape. The QR codecan be inserted into various types of promotional/advertising materialssince unaffected by background images. While the existingone-dimensional bar code can store only number information of about 20numbers, the QR code can store up to 7,089 numbers, up to 4,296characters (ASCII), binary digits of up to 2,953 bits, and up to 1,817Chinese characters, and is more excellent in recognition speed,recognition rate, and restoring force than general barcodes. Barcodesare mainly used for calculation or inventory management, productconfirmation, etc., but QR codes are mainly used for marketing,promotion, or PR.

Also, since only a product seller can possess a dedicated externalterminal capable of reading the existing barcode, consumers cannotidentify information by using barcodes. However, the QR codes allowconsumers to directly identify product information using smartphones. Asmartphone user can easily obtain various kinds of information whendownloading a QR code scanning application provided for free andscanning the QR code posted on an advertisement board, a publicitypaper, a poster, a magazine, and the Internet with a smartphone.

The first processor 160 generates QR codes representing stateinformation, stores each of the QR codes in the first memory 150, anddisplays each of the QR codes on a screen of the first display unit 140.Here, the QR codes can be changed and displayed on the screen accordingto the generated order.

In a case in which the first processor 160 is connected to the firstsensor 200 through the AUX cable 300, the first sensor 200 is activatedand the second sensor 120 is deactivated.

The first sensor 200 and the second sensor 120 have differentsensitivity level ranges.

Accordingly, the first processor 160 receives the sensing results of theinside of the area 3 every predetermined period from the activated firstsensor 200, and generates the status information of the logisticsproducts based on the sensing results received every predeterminedperiod.

Moreover, the first processor 160 generates each of the QR code codesrepresenting each state information, and displays each of the QR codecodes on the first display unit 140 in a predetermined manner.

In addition, the first processor 160 generates the corresponding QR codeon the basis of only the sensing result received from any one activatedamong the first sensor 200 and the second sensor 120 and displays thecorresponding QR code on the first display unit 140.

The QR codes generated based on any one among the first sensor 200 andthe second sensor 120 are accumulatively generated according to thestate information changed within the predetermined unit count.

Moreover, in a case in which the first processor 160 is paired with theexternal terminal 20 through a first short-range communication unit 111,the first processor 160 transmits the state information based on thesensing result of any one activated among the first sensor 200 and thesecond sensor 120, based on the first short-range communication, to theexternal terminal 20 in real time.

In a case in which the external terminal 20 is paired, the firstprocessor 160 transmits the state information to the external terminal20 in real time, and stops the generation of the QR code for the stateinformation.

In a case in which pairing with the external terminal 20 is released,the first processor 160 restart generation of the QR code on the firstdisplay unit 140.

In addition, the first processor 160 turns off the screen of the firstdisplay unit 140 while the generation operation of the QR code isstopped, or displays the QR code, which was indicated at the time ofstopping the generation operation, while the generation operation of theQR code is stopped.

Furthermore, the first processor 160 displays a QR code indicatingaddress information of a website providing the logistics products statemanagement service to the first display unit 140.

Here, the QR code representing the address information is fixedlydisplayed on the first display unit 140.

Alternatively, the QR code representing the address information isattached to the outside of the area 3, on which the logistics productsof the delivery vehicle 2 are loaded, in the form of a sticker.

The apparatus 10 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes the main body 100and the first sensor 200, but is not limited thereto. According to anembodiment, the apparatus 10 may include only the main body 100.

Next, the external terminal 20 will be described with reference to FIG.4 .

The external terminal 20 is an electronic device capable of recognizinga QR code, which is possessed by a person in charge of delivery oflogistics products, a person in charge of managing the logisticsproducts, a person who receives the logistics products, a person of amanufacturing company who is in charge of manufacturing the logisticsproducts or articles. Here, the external terminal 20 includes all kindsof handheld wireless communication devices capable of being connected toa web server through a network, such as a cellular phone, a smartphone,a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP),a tablet PC, and the like.

The external terminal 20 includes a second communication unit 210, asecond input unit 220, a second display unit 230, a second memory 240,and a second processor 250. Here, the external terminal 20 includes alarger or smaller number of components than those illustrated in FIG. 4.

The second communication unit 210 includes one or more modules betweenthe external terminal 20 and the wireless communication system, betweenthe external terminal 20 and the apparatus 10, between the externalterminal 20 and the server 30, or between the external terminal 20 andthe external server (not shown). Moreover, the second communication unit210 includes one or more modules for connecting the external terminal 20to one or more networks.

The second communication unit 210 further includes a second short-rangecommunication unit 211 for performing low-power Bluetooth communication(Bluetooth™ Low Energy) with the external terminal 20.

The second input unit 220 is to input image information (or signal),audio information (or signal), data, or information input from a user,and in order to input image information, the external terminal 20includes at least one camera 221 disposed on the front surface or therear surface.

Here, the camera 221 processes an image frame such as a still image or avideo obtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or an imagingmode. The processed image frame is displayed on the second display unit230 or stored in the second memory 240.

On the other hand, at least one camera 221 provided on the externalterminal 20 is arranged to have a matrix structure, and a plurality ofimage information having various angles or focuses is input to theexternal terminal 20 through the camera 221 forming the matrixstructure.

In addition, the camera 221 is arranged in a stereo structure to obtaina left image and a right image for implementing a stereoscopic image.

In addition, the camera 221 captures a still image or a video imageaccording to a user's manipulation. Here, the camera 221 is a recognizercapable of imaging the QR code provided by the apparatus 10 according tothe user's manipulation.

The second input unit 220 receives information from the user. Wheninformation is input through the second input unit 220, the secondcontrol unit 250 controls the operation of the external terminal 20 tocorrespond to the input information.

The second input unit 220 includes a mechanical input means (or amechanical key, for example, a button, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jogswitch, etc. located on the front surface, the rear surface or the sidesurface of the external terminal 20), and a touch input means. Forexample, the touch input means includes a virtual key, a soft key, or avisual key displayed on the touch screen through software processing, ora touch key disposed on a portion other than the touch screen. Thevirtual key or the visual key may be displayed on the touch screen invarious forms, and is composed of, for example, graphic, text, icon,video, or a combination thereof.

The second display unit 230 is in a layer structure with the touchsensor or is integrated with the touch sensor to implement a touchscreen. The touch screen provides an input interface between theapparatus 10 and the user, and at the same time, provides an outputinterface between the apparatus 10 and the user. The first display unit140 displays the QR code provided by the apparatus 10. Such a touchscreen provides an input interface between the external terminal 20 andthe user, and at the same time, provides an output interface between theuser external terminal 20 and the user.

In a case in which the camera 221 of the second input unit 220recognizes the QR code provided by the apparatus 10, the second displayunit 230 displays the recognized QR code and the state informationincluded in the recognized QR code.

The second memory 240 stores data supporting various functions of theexternal terminal 20. The second memory 240 stores a plurality ofapplication programs or applications driven in the external terminal 20,data for operating the external terminal 20, and instructions. At leasta portion of these applications may be downloaded from the server 30and/or an external server (not shown) via wireless communication. Atleast a portion of these applications may also exist for the basicfunctions of the external terminal 20, for instance, call receiving andtransmitting functions, message receiving and transmitting functions, orthe likes. Meanwhile, the application program is stored in the secondmemory 240 and installed on the external terminal 20 to be driven toperform the operation (or function) of the external terminal 20 by thesecond processor 250.

The second processor 250 controls the overall operation of the externalterminal 20 in addition to the operation related to the applicationprogram. The second processor 250 processes signals, data, information,etc. input or output by the above-mentioned components, or provides orprocesses information or function suitable for the user by driving anapplication program stored in the second memory 240.

In addition, in order to drive the application program stored in thesecond memory 240, the second processor 250 controls at least a portionof the components described with reference to FIG. 4 . Furthermore, inorder to drive the application program, the second processor 250combines and operates at least two of the components included in theexternal terminal 20.

The second processor 250 transmits the QR code imaged through the camera221 to the server 30.

That is, in a case in which the second processor 250 images the QR codedisplayed on the apparatus 10 through the camera 221, the secondprocessor 250 transmits the QR code to the server 30.

Next, the server 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 .

The server 30 is a device for providing a service for integrallymanaging logistics products, and provides integrated logistics productsinformation by interconnecting information on products based on QR codesobtained during production, distribution, and receiving processes of theproducts.

The server 30 receives at least one digital code generated duringproduction, distribution, and receiving processes of the products. Thedigital code is a code representing at least one of the production,distribution, and receiving processes of the product, and includes allkinds of image codes, such as a barcode or a QR code.

For example, the server 30 receives, from the external terminal 20, atleast one digital code (e.g., a barcode, or a QR code), such as adigital code (e.g., a barcode, or QR code) generated during a productproduction process, a digital code (e.g., a barcode, or a QR code)generated during a product distribution process, and a digital code(e.g., a barcode, or QR code) generated during a product receivingprocess. In this instance, the server 30 receives the digital code(e.g., a barcode, or QR code) from different external terminals duringthe production, distribution, and reception processes. The server 30matches information included in the received digital code (e.g., abarcode, or QR code) to make a database. Thereafter, the server 30provides various information (i.e., history data of the entire processesof production, distribution, and reception) through the database.

The digital code expresses numbers, characters, various symbols, photos,videos, etc. into a digital value (a binary code consisting of 0 or 1),for instance, may include a barcode, a QR code, and the like. In otherwords, the digital code refers to an imaged code containing specificinformation, like a barcode, a QR code, or the like.

In an embodiment, the server 30 obtains a digital code includinginformation (e.g., shipment information) for a logistics productgenerated in the product production process (i.e., a manufacturingprocess), and obtains a general QR code generated through the apparatus10 for measuring a delivery state during a delivery process of thelogistics product. The server 30 performs datafication of shipmentinformation and delivery state information of the logistics products onthe basis of the digital code and the general QR code by linking themand stores them in the database. The server 30 provides variousinformation (i.e., history data of the entire processes of production,distribution, and reception) on the logistics product based on thelinked information. For example, in a case in which the general QR codedisplayed on the screen of the apparatus 10 is recognized by theexternal terminal 20, the server 30 provides various information (e.g.,shipment information, and the like) on the logistics product linked withthe general QR code as well as information (namely, shipment stateinformation) included in the general QR code based on the recognizedgeneral QR code to the external terminal 20.

That is, since the server 30 links and manages information on theproducts obtained during the processes of production, distribution, andreception, the server 30 can efficiently integrate and manage the data.In addition, the server 30 effectively provides various information onthe products through the linked data, and effectively utilizes onlyinformation required according to the purpose.

The server 30 includes all kinds of handheld wireless communicationdevices capable of being connected to a web server through a network,such as a cellular phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a tablet PC, and the like,and is one of digital devices having a memory means, such as a personalcomputer (e.g., a desktop computer, a notebook computer, etc.), aworkstation, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a web pad, and thelike, and has a micro-processor to have arithmetic capacity.

The server 30 includes a third communication unit 310, a third memory320, and a third processor 330. Here, the server 30 may include a largeror smaller number of components than those shown in FIG. 5 .

The third communication unit 310 includes one or more modules betweenthe server 30 and the wireless communication system, between the server30 and the apparatus 10, between the server 30 and the external terminal20, or between the server 30 and the external server (not shown). Thethird communication unit 310 includes one or more modules for connectingthe server 30 to one or more networks.

The third memory 320 stores a plurality of application programs orapplications driven in the apparatus 10, data for operating theapparatus 10, and instructions. At least a portion of these applicationsmay be downloaded from the server 30 and/or an external server (notshown) via wireless communication. At least a portion of theseapplications may also exist for the basic functionality of the server30. Meanwhile, the application program is stored in the third memory 320and installed on the server 30 to be driven to perform the operation (orfunction) of the server 30 by the third processor 330.

The third memory 320 further includes a database 321, and the database321 stores information (e.g., shipment information, delivery stateinformation, etc.) on the product. That is, the database 321 links andstores product-related data included in the QR code obtained during theproduction, distribution, and reception processes of the product.

In addition to the operation related to the application program, thethird processor 330 controls the overall operation of the server 30. Thethird processor 330 processes signals, data, information, etc. input oroutput by the above-mentioned components, or provides or processesinformation or function suitable for the user by driving an applicationprogram stored in the third memory 320.

In addition, in order to drive the application program stored in thethird memory 320, the third processor 330 controls at least a portion ofthe components described with reference to FIG. 5 . Furthermore, inorder to drive the application program, the third processor 330 combinesand operates at least two of the components included in the server 30.

Next, the external server (not shown) is a server for integrallymanaging logistics products, a manufacturer server for sending logisticsproducts, a customer server for receiving the logistics products, or thelike.

Alternatively, the external server (not shown) may be a device providinga download of an application to provide the logistics products statemanagement service.

In an embodiment, the external server (not shown) may be a server usedto manage and store product information by a product manufacturer. Forexample, the external server (not shown) stores and manages productinformation and/or shipment information of products. Here, the productinformation includes a product identifier, a product name, amanufacturing number, a standard, a unit, a quantity, an amount, amanufacturing year, and the like. The shipment information includes theproduct information and shipment conditions for shipment the products,for instance, includes a payment condition, a departure date, a deliverymethod, and the like.

The external server (not shown) includes all kinds of handheld wirelesscommunication devices capable of being connected to a web server througha network, such as a cellular phone, a smartphone, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a tablet PC, andthe like, and is one of digital devices having a memory means, such as apersonal computer (e.g., a desktop computer, a notebook computer, etc.),a workstation, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a web pad, and thelike, and has a micro-processor to have arithmetic capacity.

Next, the communication network 40 transmits and receives variousinformation with the apparatus 10, the external terminal 20, the server30, and the external server (not shown). The communication network 40uses one among a variety of types of communication networks, forexample, a wireless communication method such as a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN), Wi-Fi, WiBro, WiMAX, high speed downlink packet accesssystem (HSDPA), and the like, or a wired communication method such asEthernet, xDSL (ADSL or VDSL), hybrid fiber coax (HFC), fiber to thecurb (FTTC), fiber to the home (FTTH), and the like.

On the other hand, the communication network 40 is not limited to thecommunication methods described above, and may include any otherwell-known or future communication method in addition to theabove-described communication methods.

Hereinafter, a method for providing an integrated logistics productsmanagement service according to the present disclosure will bedescribed, and the method may be performed by the system 1 describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 .

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for providing an integratedlogistics products management service according to the presentdisclosure.

The server 30 obtains a digital code including shipment informationgenerated during the shipment process of the logistics product (S600).

Here, the shipment information includes product information, such as aproduct identifier, a product name, a manufacturing number, a standard,a unit, a quantity, an amount, a manufacturing year, and the like, andalso includes information, such as shipment conditions for shipment theproducts, for instance, includes a payment condition, a departure date,a delivery method, and the like.

In addition, the digital code expresses numbers, characters, varioussymbols, photos, videos, etc. into a digital value (a binary codeconsisting of 0 or 1), for instance, may include a barcode, a QR code,and the like. In other words, the digital code refers to an imaged codecontaining specific information, like a barcode, a QR code, or the like.

Furthermore, the digital code includes the above-mentioned shipmentinformation, and may be generated by a manufacturer and attached to aproduct, a packaging box, or the like.

Specifically, the manufacturer generates the product information, theshipment information, and the like for product management in the processof producing and shipment products, and stores the information as data.In addition, at the time of shipment, the product information, theshipment information, and the like are converted into a digital code,such as a bar code, a QR code, etc., and then, the digital code isattached to a product, a packaging box, or the like to be delivered to afinal destination. In this instance, the product information, theshipment information, and the like are stored in a server (i.e., theexternal server) of the manufacturer.

That is, the server 30 receives a digital code from the externalterminal 20 at any time ranging from shipment of the logistics productto receipt of the product. For example, in the delivery process, thedigital code attached to a product or a packaging box is recognizedthrough an external terminal of a deliverer (e.g., a delivery person,etc.), and is transferred to the server 30.

The server 30 obtains the general QR code generated through theapparatus 10 for measuring the delivery state during the deliveryprocess of the logistics product (S610).

Here, the apparatus 10 is attached to the inside of the deliveryvehicle, the logistics product, or the packaging box to sense at leastone of temperature, acceleration, humidity, illumination, slope, impact,and location during the delivery process. Moreover, the apparatus 10generates delivery state information of the logistics product based onthe sensing result, and generates a general QR code including thedelivery state information to display the same on a screen.

In other words, the general QR code includes sensing data obtained bymeasuring at least one among temperature, acceleration, humidity,illumination, slope, impact, and location through the sensor of theapparatus 10 during the delivery process of the logistics product.

For example, in a delivery completion process of the product or in theproduct receiving process, the general QR code displayed on the screenof the apparatus 10 is recognized by the external terminal of thedelivery person or a receiver, and then, is transferred to the server30.

The server 30 links the shipment information and the delivery stateinformation of the logistics product based on the digital code and thegeneral QR code (S620).

That is, since the digital code includes the shipment information of thelogistics product and the general QR code includes the delivery stateinformation of the logistics product, the server 30 matches the shipmentstate information obtained from the digital code and the delivery stateinformation obtained from the general QR code to store the matcheddelivery state information in the database.

The server 30 provides the shipment information of the logistics productbased on the general QR code recognized by the external terminal 20(S630).

That is, the server 30 links information on the logistics product basedon the digital code and the general QR code to make a database thereof,and provides various information (e.g., shipment information, etc.) onthe logistics product linked with the general QR code as well asinformation (e.g., shipment state information) included in the generalQR code to the external terminal.

Furthermore, in providing information on the logistics product, theserver 30 generates information on the logistics product in the form ofan electronic document. For example, the server 30 generates dataregarding an electronic document, such as an electronic invoice, anelectronic output certificate, an electronic receipt certificate, etc.through the digital code (e.g., a barcode, a QR code, etc.) obtained atthe time of shipment of the products. When the QR code is recognizedafter completion of delivery at a destination, the electronic document,such as an electronic invoice, an electronic output certificate, anelectronic receipt certificate, etc. through the information linked withthe QR code is provided.

FIG. 6 illustrates that the operations S600 to S630 are carried out inconsecutive order, but it is just an example of the technical idea ofthe embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art that various changes and modifications of the orderillustrated in FIG. 6 or changes and modifications that one or more ofthe operations S600 to S630 are carried out in parallel may be appliedto the present disclosure. That is, the time series order illustrated inFIG. 6 is not restricted thereto.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process of providing an electronicshipment certificate in the method for providing an integrated logisticsproducts management service according to the present disclosure. Theprocess of FIG. 7 is a detailed process of operation S630 of FIG. 6 .

The apparatus 10 generates a general QR code including delivery stateinformation of the logistics product and displays the generic QR code onthe screen of the apparatus 10 (S700).

In an embodiment, the apparatus 10 is attached to the inside of adelivery vehicle, a product, or a packaging box to measure a deliverystate (i.e., a delivery environment) through the sensor during adelivery process. That is, the apparatus 10 senses at least one oftemperature, acceleration, humidity, illumination, slope, impact, andlocation during delivery of the logistics product through the sensor.The apparatus 10 generates delivery state information of the logisticsproduct based on the sensing result, generates a general QR coderepresenting the delivery state information, and displays the generatedgeneral QR code on the screen of the apparatus 10.

The external terminal 20 images the general QR code through the camera221 (S710), and transmits the imaged general QR code to the server 30(S720).

For example, in a case in which the delivery of the logistics product iscompleted (that is, in a case in which the logistics product arrives atthe destination), a recipient of the logistics product can photographthe general QR code displayed on the screen of the apparatus 10 usingthe recipient's own external terminal 20. The imaged general QR code canbe transmitted to the server 30.

The server 30 recognizes the general QR code received from the externalterminal 20 (S730).

That is, in a case in which the server 30 receives the general QR codedisplayed on the screen of the apparatus 10 through the externalterminal 20, the server 30 recognizes the information in the general QRcode.

The server 30 determines whether shipment or delivery of the logisticsproduct satisfies predetermined conditions based on the recognizedgeneral QR code (S740).

The predetermined conditions include at least one among shipmentconditions and delivery condition for the logistics product. Forexample, the shipment conditions may be the predetermined conditionswhen the product is shipped, and for example, a payment condition, adeparture date, a delivery method, a delivery path, a shipment point, ashipment price, a shipment quantity, and the like may be predeterminedas shipment conditions. In addition, the delivery conditions may bepreset conditions of state information required while storing anddelivering the logistics products, for instance, temperature,acceleration, humidity, illumination, slope, impact, location, and thelike.

The predetermined conditions include at least one among the shipmentconditions and the delivery conditions as described above, and may bepreset in the digital code. In other words, when the digital code isgenerated, at least one of the predetermined shipment conditions and thedelivery conditions may be included in the digital code.

That is, the server 30 determines whether shipment or delivery of thelogistics product satisfies at least one of the shipment conditions anddelivery conditions preset in the digital code based on the sensing dataincluded in the general QR code received through the external terminal20.

The general QR code includes sensing data of at least one amongtemperature, acceleration, humidity, illumination, slope, impact, andlocation measured during the delivery process. Therefore, based on thesensing data, it is possible to determine whether the logistics producthas been delivered or stored in accordance with the conditionspredetermined when the logistics product is shipped.

For example, in a case in which the logistics product is a vaccine,since the temperature to be maintained during delivery is determinedaccording to kinds of the vaccine, temperature must be previously set asthe delivery condition. Accordingly, the delivery temperature conditionis included in the digital code generated at the time of shipment of theproduct. Thereafter, since the temperature information measured throughthe apparatus 10 during the delivery process is recorded in the generalQR code, the server 30 determines whether the vaccine satisfies thedelivery temperature condition preset in the digital code based on thedelivery temperature information included in the general QR code.

For example, in a case in which the logistics product is a vaccine, meankinetic temperature (MKT) index may be pre-set in the shipment condition(i.e., a shipment certificate issuing condition). The MKT index is anindex depicting influences on medicine and medical supplies bycalculating various temperature changes progressed for a predeterminedperiod of time as single temperature. So, it is determined whether todiscard the vaccine through the MKT index. The condition for the MKTindex is included in the digital code generated at the time of shipmentof the product. Moreover, as described above, since the apparatus 10measures the temperature through the sensor every predetermined periodto generate each QR code, the server 30 calculates a temperature changebased on the general QR code generated every predetermined period.Therefore, the server 30 determines whether the vaccine is delivered bysatisfying the MKT index condition preset in the digital code based onthe temperature change calculated through the general QR code.

Since the server 30 links the shipment information in the digital codeand the delivery state information in the general QR code and storesthem in the database, it is possible to easily determine whether thedelivery of the corresponding product is properly performed through therecognition of the general QR code when the product is received.

In a case in which the predetermined condition is satisfied as thedetermination result, the server 30 requests signature information tothe external terminal 20 (S750), and receives the signature informationfrom the external terminal 20 (S760).

In an embodiment, the server 30 transmits a request signal requestingthe signature information to the external terminal 20. When the externalterminal 20 receives a request signal of the signature information fromthe server 30, the external terminal 20 displays a signature screen toreceive the signature information. The external terminal 20 receives thesignature information from an external terminal user (e.g., a recipientof the logistics product) and transmits the signature information to theserver 30.

The server 30 generates an electronic shipment certificate for shipmentinformation including the signature information (S770).

That is, in a case in which the server 30 receives the signatureinformation from the external terminal 20, the server 30 generates theshipment information for the logistics product including the signatureinformation. In this instance, the server 30 generates information onthe logistics product in the form of an electronic document. Forexample, the shipment information including the signature of therecipient is generated as an electronic shipment certificate, and therecipient's signature information is generated as an electronic receiptcertificate.

Thereafter, the server 30 provides an electronic document (e.g., anelectronic shipment certificate, an electronic receipt certificate,etc.) for the logistics product to the external terminal 20. Forexample, in a case in which the logistics product arrives at thedestination and the delivery is completed, the recipient externalterminal 20 or the producer (manufacturer) external terminal 20 canreceive the electronic shipment certificate or the electronic receiptcertificate from the server 30 by imaging the general QR code displayedon the apparatus 10 through the camera.

The present disclosure can easily and effectively integrate data for theproduct since managing information on the product based on the QR codeobtained during the production, distribution, and receiving processes ofthe product. In addition, The present disclosure can integrally manageall data through just one server (namely, the server for providing theintegrated logistics products management service) without needing toaccess separate servers for the production, distribution, and receivingprocesses of the product. Therefore, the present disclosure can easilyprovide information and increase information applicability. Furthermore,according to the present disclosure, it is convenient to confirm andmanage data without performing additional work by performing automateddata interworking with respect to the entire processes of production,distribution, and reception.

On the other hand, conventionally, a manufacturer (e.g., apharmaceutical company) directly provides manufactured products (e.g.,medical supplies) and a shipment certificate of a hardcopy type to adelivery company (e.g., a delivery man). In addition, the deliverycompany receives a signature for the shipment certificate from arecipient when delivery is completed, and then, provides the signedshipment certificate to the manufacturer. In this instance, since theshipment certificate is in a hardcopy type, it is necessary to match theshipment certificate signed by the recipient with the existinginformation. In addition, since the manufacturer's DB and the deliverycompany's DB are used separately, it is difficult to provide theintegrated logistics products management service according to thepresent disclosure.

In addition, in a case in which a biological agent is delivered, anautomatic temperature recording device (inside a vehicle or atransportation container) and a thermometer (outside of the transportcontainer) should be additionally installed, it is verified in advancewhether or not a storage temperature is maintained during delivery, andthe temperature record measured during delivery should be stored for twoyears. Therefore, compared with the conventional method, the method inthe present disclosure can effectively deliver and store biologicalagents.

FIG. 7 illustrates that the operations S700 to S770 are carried out inconsecutive order, but it is just an example of the technical idea ofthe embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art that various changes and modifications of the orderillustrated in FIG. 7 or changes and modifications that one or more ofthe operations S700 to S770 are carried out in parallel may be appliedto the present disclosure. That is, the time series order illustrated inFIG. 7 is not restricted thereto.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an authentication process of theexternal terminal 20 in the method for providing an integrated logisticsproducts management service according to the present disclosure. Theprocess of FIG. 8 may be performed in operation S630 of FIG. 6 orperformed before or after the operation S630 of FIG. 6 .

The apparatus 10 generates a general QR code including delivery stateinformation of the logistics product and displays the generic QR code onthe screen of the apparatus 10 (S800).

In an embodiment, the apparatus 10 is attached to the inside of adelivery vehicle, a product, or a packaging box to measure a deliverystate (i.e., a delivery environment) through the sensor during adelivery process. That is, the apparatus 10 senses at least one oftemperature, acceleration, humidity, illumination, slope, impact, andlocation during delivery of the logistics product through the sensor.The apparatus 10 generates delivery state information of the logisticsproduct based on the sensing result, generates a general QR coderepresenting the delivery state information, and displays the generatedgeneral QR code on the screen of the apparatus 10.

The external terminal 20 images the general QR code through the camera221 (S810), and transmits the imaged general QR code to the server 30(S820).

For example, in a case in which the delivery of the logistics product iscompleted (that is, in a case in which the logistics product arrives atthe destination), a recipient of the logistics product can photographthe general QR code displayed on the screen of the apparatus 10 usingthe recipient's own external terminal 20. The imaged general QR code canbe transmitted to the server 30.

The server 30 recognizes the general QR code received from the externalterminal 20 (S830).

That is, in a case in which the server 30 tries to recognize the generalQR code displayed on the screen of the apparatus 10 through the externalterminal 20, the server 30 performs an authentication process for theexternal terminal 20.

In detail, in a case in which there is an attempt to recognize theexternal terminal 20 with respect to the general QR code displayed onthe screen of the apparatus 10, the server 30 generates a request signalof authentication information and transmits the request signal to theexternal terminal 20 (S840). Furthermore, the external terminal 20transmits the authentication information in response to the requestsignal of the authentication information received from the server 30(S850).

In an embodiment, the server 30 generates a request signal of theauthentication information based on an authentication condition includedin the general QR code, and transmits the request signal to the externalterminal 20. In this instance, the external terminal 20 transmitsauthentication information corresponding to the request signal to theserver 30.

Here, the authentication condition may be information specifying anauthentication method for performing authentication with respect to auser or an external terminal attempting to recognize the QR code, andmay be information preset in the general QR code. That is, theauthentication condition may be a condition related to authentication ofa user or a terminal, and may be a condition related to authenticationinformation requested during authentication. For example, at least oneof identification information, location information, time information,and user information for an external terminal may be used as theauthentication condition.

For example, in a case in which the identification information for theexternal terminal is set as the authentication condition, the server 30generates a request signal requesting identification information of theexternal terminal based on the authentication condition included in thegeneral QR code and transmits the request signal to the externalterminal 20. In this instance, the external terminal 20 generatesidentification information of the external terminal and transmits theidentification information to the server 30. Here, the identificationinformation for the external terminal includes an identification codeassigned to the external terminal (i.e., the apparatus), useridentification information (e.g., account, password, etc.) of anapplication installed in the external terminal.

For example, in a case in which the location information is set as theauthentication condition, the server 30 generates a request signalrequesting the location information of the user or the external terminalbased on the authentication condition included in the general QR code,and transmits the request signal to the external terminal 20. In thisinstance, the external terminal 20 generates the requested locationinformation, and transmits the generated location information to theserver 30. For example, the external terminal 20 generates the locationinformation through a GPS module or a Wi-Fi module in the terminal.Alternatively, the external terminal 20 receives a receiving place forreceiving the logistics product from the user, and generates locationinformation.

For example, in a case in which the time information is set as theauthentication condition, the server 30 generates a request signalrequesting the time information based on the authentication conditionincluded in the general QR code, and transmits the generated requestsignal to the external terminal 20. In this instance, the externalterminal 20 generates the requested time information, and transmits thegenerated time information to the server 30. For example, the externalterminal 20 generates time information on the basis of the date and timereceiving the request signal. Alternatively, the external terminal 20receives the receiving time of the logistics product from the user, andgenerates the time information.

For example, in a case in which the user information is set as theauthentication condition, the server 30 generates a request signalrequesting user information based on the authentication conditionincluded in the general QR code, and transmits the generated requestsignal to the external terminal 20. In this instance, the externalterminal 20 generates the requested user information, and transmits thegenerated user information to the server 30. Here, the user informationincludes a fingerprint, an iris, a signature, and the like. For example,the external terminal 20 recognizes a user's fingerprint through afingerprint recognition sensor in the terminal, generates userauthentication information on the basis of the user fingerprint, andtransmits the user authentication information to the server 30. Theexternal terminal 20 recognizes the user's iris through the camera inthe terminal, generates user authentication information on the basis ofthe user's iris, and transmits the user authentication information tothe server 30. The external terminal 20 receives a user signaturethrough an input unit of the terminal, generates user authenticationinformation based on the user signature, and transmits the userauthentication information to the server 30.

Alternatively, as an example, a random number in the QR code may beinserted and used as the authentication condition. The server 30generates an authentication request signal based on the authenticationcondition (e.g., authentication using a random number) included in thegeneral QR code, and transmits the authentication request signal to theexternal terminal 20. In this instance, the server 30 generates a randomnumber, and transmits the random number to the external terminal 20. Theexternal terminal 20 transmits the received random number to the server30, and the server 30 compares the received random number with therandom number generated by the server to determine whether toauthenticate. In this instance, the random number may be generated byencrypting.

The server 30 determines whether the authentication is successful on thebasis of the authentication information received from the externalterminal 20 (S860).

In other words, in a case in which the authentication informationcorresponding to the authentication request signal is received from theexternal terminal 20, the server 30 determines whether the receivedauthentication information corresponds to the authentication condition.

In a case in which the authentication is successful, the server 30provides shipment information of the logistics product to the externalterminal 20 (S870).

In this instance, the server 30 generates information on the logisticsproduct in the form of an electronic document. For example, shipmentinformation may be generated as an electronic shipment certificate. Thatis, the server 30 generates an electronic publication certificate forthe shipment information of the logistics product, and provides theelectronic attendance certificate to the external terminal 20.

For example, in a case in which the logistics product arrives at thedestination and the delivery is complete, the recipient externalterminal 20 or producer (manufacturer) external terminal 20 can take aphotograph of the general QR code displayed on the apparatus 10 throughthe camera. In this case, the authentication process for the externalterminal is performed first. In a case in which the authentication issuccessful, an electronic shipment certificate and an electronic receiptcertificate can be provided from the server 30.

In a case in which the authentication is failed through theauthentication process, the server 30 generates a re-authenticationrequest signal of the authentication information, and transmits there-authentication request signal to the external terminal 20.

In a case in which the re-authentication fails beyond a predeterminednumber of times, the server 30 generates a dummy QR code representingfalse information, and then, provides the dummy QR code to the externalterminal 20 instead of an actual QR code.

In a case in which the re-authentication fails beyond a predeterminednumber of times, the server 30 displays a predetermined image (forinstance, ‘access prohibition’) instead of an actual QR code, or locksthe screen after turning off the screen on which the QR code isdisplayed.

FIG. 8 illustrates that the operations S800 to S870 are carried out inconsecutive order, but it is just an example of the technical idea ofthe embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art that various changes and modifications of the orderillustrated in FIG. 8 or changes and modifications that one or more ofthe operations S800 to S870 are carried out in parallel may be appliedto the present disclosure. That is, the time series order illustrated inFIG. 8 is not restricted thereto.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an authority confirmation process ofthe external terminal 20 in the method for providing an integratedlogistics products management service according to the presentdisclosure. The process of FIG. 9 may be performed in operation S630 ofFIG. 6 or performed before or after the operation S630 of FIG. 6 .

The apparatus 10 generates a general QR code including delivery stateinformation of the logistics product and displays the generic QR code onthe screen of the apparatus 10 (S900).

In an embodiment, the apparatus 10 is attached to the inside of adelivery vehicle, a product, or a packaging box to measure a deliverystate (i.e., a delivery environment) through the sensor during adelivery process. That is, the apparatus 10 senses at least one oftemperature, acceleration, humidity, illumination, slope, impact, andlocation during delivery of the logistics product through the sensor.The apparatus 10 generates delivery state information of the logisticsproduct based on the sensing result, generates a general QR coderepresenting the delivery state information, and displays the generatedgeneral QR code on the screen of the apparatus 10.

The external terminal 20 images the general QR code through the camera221 (S910), and transmits the imaged general QR code to the server 30(S920).

For example, in a case in which the delivery of the logistics product iscompleted (that is, in a case in which the logistics product arrives atthe destination), a recipient of the logistics product can photographthe general QR code displayed on the screen of the apparatus 10 usingthe recipient's own external terminal 20. The imaged general QR code canbe transmitted to the server 30.

The server 30 recognizes the general QR code received from the externalterminal 20 (S930).

That is, in a case in which the server 30 tries to recognize the generalQR code displayed on the screen of the apparatus 10 through the externalterminal 20, the server 30 performs an authority confirmation processfor the external terminal 20.

In detail, in a case in which there is an attempt to recognize theexternal terminal 20 with respect to the general QR code displayed onthe screen of the apparatus 10, the server 30 generates a request signalof authority information and transmits the request signal to theexternal terminal 20 (S940). Furthermore, the external terminal 20transmits the authority information in response to the request signal ofthe authority information received from the server 30 (S950).

Thereafter, the server confirms the authority of the external terminal20 based on the received right information (S960).

For example, the server 30 confirms authority information for theexternal terminal based on at least one among the identificationinformation, the location information, the time information, and theuser information for the external terminal.

Here, the identification information for the external terminal includesan identification code assigned to the external terminal (i.e., theapparatus), user identification information (e.g., account, password,etc.) of an application installed in the external terminal. The locationinformation may be the location of the external terminal or a receivingplace of the product. The time information may be the time at whichrecognition of the QR code is attempted, or the time at which theproduct is received. The user information may be information such as afingerprint, an iris, a signature, etc. of a user.

Since it is possible to determine whether the external terminal or theuser of the external terminal is a manufacturer, a delivery company (forexample, a delivery man), or a recipient through the identificationinformation, the location information, the time information, and theuser information with respect to the external terminal, differentauthorities are assigned to the manufacturer, the delivery company, andthe recipient.

In other words, the server 30 determines whether the authority grantedto the external terminal or the user of the external terminal isauthority for the recipient, authority for the manufacturer, orauthority for the delivery company through the identificationinformation, the location information, the time information, and theuser information with respect to the external terminal.

The server 30 provides information on the logistics productcorresponding to the authority information for the external terminal 20(S970).

For example, in a case in which it is confirmed that recipient authorityinformation for the external terminal 20 is assigned, the server 30provides a QR code region associated with signature information of arecipient to the external terminal 20. In this case, the externalterminal 20 displays a screen for receiving the signature information ofthe recipient through recognition of the general QR code.

In a case in which it is confirmed that manufacturer authorityinformation for the external terminal 20 is assigned, the server 30provides a QR code region associated with the electronic shipmentcertificate to the external terminal 20. In this case, the externalterminal 20 outputs an electronic shipment certificate throughrecognition of the general QR code.

That is, the server 30 selectively provides only the QR code regioncorresponding to the authority information in the general QR codeaccording to the authority of the external terminal 20.

In order to provide the corresponding QR code for each authority, a datastructure of the QR code according to the present disclosure is composedof a header and a body. The header and the body are assigned bits orbytes of a predetermined size. Here, the header includes a plurality offields, and authority information is recorded in each field. Forexample, authority information for the recipient is recorded in thefirst field, authority information for the manufacturer is recorded inthe second field, and authority information for the delivery company isrecorded in the third field. In addition, actual data with respect tothe body is recorded. For example, with respect to the external terminalhaving recipient authority, the server 30 recognizes a location of thebody corresponding to the corresponding authority based on theinformation recorded in the first field region, thereby recognizing onlythe region of the corresponding QR code for each authority.

FIG. 9 illustrates that the operations S900 to S970 are carried out inconsecutive order, but it is just an example of the technical idea ofthe embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art that various changes and modifications of the orderillustrated in FIG. 9 or changes and modifications that one or more ofthe operations S900 to S970 are carried out in parallel may be appliedto the present disclosure. That is, the time series order illustrated inFIG. 9 is not restricted thereto.

According to the problem solving means of the present disclosure, it ispossible to sense at least one among temperature, acceleration,humidity, illumination, inclination, impact, and location in a deliveryvehicle for delivering logistics products, and to provide the stateinformation of the logistics products in the form of a QR code. So, in acase in which the user has a terminal and an application capable ofrecognizing the QR code, the present disclosure can easily andaccurately confirm the state of logistics products in the deliveryvehicle by easily recognizing the QR code through the terminal without acomplicated process so as to take necessary measures.

In addition, according to the problem solving means of the presentdisclosure, it is possible to simplify a procedure of confirming thestate of the delivery vehicle, thereby enabling an integrated logisticsproducts state management service to enhance efficiency, and minimizingthe issuance of a number of paper certificates, such as authenticationdocuments or examination reports which have to be submitted every timeduring distribution processes.

Furthermore, according to the problem solving means of the presentdisclosure, it is possible to efficiently link and manage information ona product on the basis of a QR code obtained during the production,distribution, and receiving processes of the product, therebyeffectively integrating and managing data. In addition, it is possibleto easily and effectively provide various information on the productthrough the linked data and to selectively utilize only informationrequired according to the purpose.

Additionally, according to the problem solving means of the presentdisclosure, it is possible to integrally manage all data through justone server without needing to access separate servers for theproduction, distribution, and receiving processes of the product.Therefore, the present disclosure can easily provide information andincrease information applicability. Furthermore, the present disclosurecan provide an integrated logistics products service without performingadditional manual work by performing automated data management withrespect to the entire processes of production, distribution, andreception of the product.

The method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can beimplemented as a program (or application) to be executed by beingcombined with a computer which is hardware, and can be stored in amedium.

The program may include code coded as a computer language, such as C,C++, Java, machine language, etc. which a processor (CPU) of thecomputer can read through a device interface of a computer. The code mayinclude a functional code associated with a function that definesnecessary functions for executing the methods, and may include anexecution procedure-related control code in which the processor of thecomputer needs to execute the functions according to predeterminedprocedures. In addition, the code may further include additionalinformation necessary for the processor of the computer to execute thefunctions or memory reference-related code for whether the media shouldbe referenced in which location (address) of the internal or externalmemory of the computer. Moreover, if communication with any othercomputer or server in a remote location is required to execute thefunctions by the process of the computer, the code may further includecommunication-related code for how to communicate with any othercomputer or server at a remote location using the communication moduleof the computer, or whether or not any information or media should betransmitted and received in the communication.

The method or algorithm described in relation to the embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be directly embodied in hardware, can be embodiedin a software module executed by hardware, or can be embodied bycombination thereof. The software module can be stored in a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a detachabledisk, a CD-ROM, or a medium readable by a computer, well-known in thetechnical field to which the present disclosure belongs.

The apparatus 10, the terminal 20, and the server 30 referred to hereininclude various devices capable of performing arithmetic processing toprovide results to a user. For example, the server for providing anintegrated logistics products management service according to thepresent disclosure may include all of a computer, a server device, and aportable terminal, or may adopt any one thereamong.

The computer may include, for example, a notebook computer equipped witha web browser, a desktop, a laptop, a tablet PC, a slate PC, and thelike.

The server device is a server for processing information by performingcommunication with the external device, and includes an applicationserver, a computing server, a database server, a file server, a gameserver, a mail server, a proxy server, a web server, and the like.

The portable terminal is a wireless communication device providingportability and mobility, and includes all kinds of handheld-basedwireless communication devices, such as a personal communications system(PCS), a global system for mobile communications (GSM), a personaldigital cellular (PDC), a personal handphone system (PHS), a personaldigital assistant (PDA), an international mobile telecommunications(IMT)-2000, a code division multiple access (CDMA)-2000, a W-codedivision multiple access (W-CDMA), wireless broadband internet (WiBro)terminal, a smartphone, and the like, and a wearable device, such as awatch, a ring, a bracelet, an ankle bracelet, a necklace, glasses,contact lenses, or a head-mounted device (HMD).

On the other hand, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in theform of a recording medium storing instructions executable by acomputer. Instructions may be stored in the form of program code and,when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to performthe operation of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may beembodied as a computer-readable recording medium.

The computer readable recording medium includes all kinds of recordingmedia in which instructions that can be decrypted by a computer arestored. For example, there may be a read-only memory (ROM), a randomaccess memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory,an optical data storage device, and the like.

The above description is only exemplary, and it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the disclosure may be embodied in otherconcrete forms without changing the technological scope and essentialfeatures. Therefore, the above-described embodiments should beconsidered only as examples in all aspects and not for purposes oflimitation.

1. A method for providing an electronic shipment certificate based on aQR code performed by a server providing an integrated logistics productsmanagement service, the method comprising operations of: obtaining adigital code including shipment information generated during a shipmentprocess of a logistics product; obtaining the QR code generated througha device for measuring a delivery state during the delivery process ofthe logistics product; generating a random number, inserting the randomnumber into the QR code, and transmitting the random number to anexternal terminal; linking shipment information on the logistics producton the basis of the digital code and the QR code; receiving the randomnumber from the external terminal; comparing the random number with therandom number received from the external terminal and the random numbergenerated by the server to determine whether to authenticate theexternal terminal; and when the authentication of the external terminalis successful, providing the shipment information on the logisticsproduct through the external terminal on the basis of the QR codedisplayed on a screen of an apparatus, wherein the QR code includessensing data measuring at least one of temperature, acceleration,humidity, illumination, inclination, impact, or location through asensor of the apparatus during the delivery process of the logisticsproduct.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the providingshipment information comprises: recognizing the QR code displayed on thescreen of the apparatus through the external terminal; determiningwhether to satisfy a predetermined condition for the logistics productbased on the recognized QR code through the external terminal; receivingsignature information through the external terminal in a case ofsatisfying the predetermined condition; and generating an electronicshipment certificate for shipment information of the logistics productincluding the signature information, wherein the predetermined conditionincludes at least one of shipment conditions and delivery conditions forthe logistics product.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein atleast one of the shipment conditions and the delivery conditions ispreset as the predetermined condition, and wherein the determiningwhether to satisfy a predetermined condition comprises determiningwhether at least one of the shipment conditions and the deliveryconditions preset in the digital code based on the sensing data includedin the QR code is satisfied.
 4. The method according to claim 2, furthercomprising: performing an authentication process for the externalterminal in a case in which it is attempted to recognize the QR codedisplayed on the screen of the apparatus through the external terminal.5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the performing theauthentication process comprises: transmitting a request signal ofauthentication information to the external terminal on the basis of anauthentication condition included in the QR code; determining whetherauthentication is successful on the basis of authentication informationreceived from the external terminal; and providing shipment informationof the logistics product when the authentication is successful.
 6. Themethod according to claim 5, wherein the authentication condition ispreset in the QR code, and includes at least one of identificationinformation, location information, time information, or user informationfor the external terminal, which is preset in the QR code.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 2, further comprising: confirming authorityinformation for the external terminal in a case in which it is attemptedto recognize the QR code displayed on the screen of the apparatusthrough the external terminal; and providing a QR code corresponding tothe authority information in the QR code on the basis of the authorityinformation.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the authorityinformation for the external terminal is confirmed based on at least oneof identification information, location information, time information,or user information for the external terminal, wherein the method isfurther comprising: providing a QR code region associated with signatureinformation of a recipient through the external terminal if it isconfirmed that the external terminal has authority information for therecipient; and providing a QR code region associated with an electronicshipment certificate through the external terminal in a case in which itis confirmed that manufacturer authority information for the externalterminal is assigned.
 9. A non-transitory computer-readable recordingmedium in which a program for carrying out the method for providing anelectronic shipment certificate according to claim 1 is stored.
 10. Aserver for providing an integrated logistics products management servicebased on a QR code, wherein the server: obtains a digital code includingshipment information generated during a shipment process of a logisticsproduct; obtains the QR code generated through a device for measuring adelivery state during the delivery process of the logistics product;generates a random number, inserting the random number into the QR code,and transmitting the random number to an external terminal; linksshipment information on the logistics product on the basis of thedigital code and the QR code; receives the random number from theexternal terminal; compares the random number with the random numberreceived from the external terminal and the random number generated bythe server to determine whether to authenticate the external terminal;and when the authentication of the external terminal is successful,provides the shipment information on the logistics product through theexternal terminal on the basis of the QR code displayed on a screen ofan apparatus, wherein the QR code includes sensing data measuring atleast one of temperature, acceleration, humidity, illumination,inclination, impact, or location through a sensor of the apparatusduring the delivery process of the logistics product.
 11. The serveraccording to claim 10, wherein when shipment information of thelogistics product is provided, the server recognizes the QR codedisplayed on the screen of the apparatus through the external terminal,determines whether to satisfy a predetermined condition for thelogistics product based on the recognized QR code through the externalterminal, receives signature information through the external terminalin a case of satisfying the predetermined condition, and generates anelectronic shipment certificate for shipment information of thelogistics product including the signature information, and wherein thepredetermined condition includes at least one of shipment conditions anddelivery conditions for the logistics product.
 12. The server accordingto claim 11, wherein at least one of the shipment conditions and thedelivery conditions is preset as the predetermined condition, andwherein the server determines whether to satisfy at least one of theshipment conditions and the delivery conditions preset in the digitalcode based on the sensing data included in the QR code.
 13. The serveraccording to claim 11, wherein the server performs an authenticationprocess for the external terminal in a case in which it is attempted torecognize the QR code displayed on the screen of the apparatus throughthe external terminal.
 14. The server according to claim 13, wherein theserver transmits a request signal of authentication information to theexternal terminal on the basis of an authentication condition includedin the QR code when the authentication process is performed, determineswhether authentication is successful on the basis of authenticationinformation received from the external terminal, and provides shipmentinformation of the logistics product when the authentication issuccessful.
 15. The server according to claim 14, wherein theauthentication condition is preset in the QR code, and includes at leastone of identification information, location information, timeinformation, or user information for the external terminal, which ispreset in the QR code.
 16. The server according to claim 11, wherein theserver confirms authority information for the external terminal in acase in which it is attempted to recognize the QR code displayed on thescreen of the apparatus through the external terminal, and provides a QRcode corresponding to the authority information in the QR code on thebasis of the authority information.
 17. The server according to claim16, wherein the authority information for the external terminal isconfirmed based on at least one of identification information, locationinformation, time information, or user information for the externalterminal, and wherein the server provides a QR code region associatedwith signature information of a recipient through the external terminalif it is confirmed that the external terminal has authority informationfor the recipient, and provides a QR code region associated with anelectronic shipment certificate through the external terminal in a casein which it is confirmed that manufacturer authority information for theexternal terminal is assigned.